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Wieze, April 9, 2014 – Callebaut® presented today the latest news on its Growing Great Chocolate program. Under it Callebaut® has been since 2012 producing its entire Finest Belgian Chocolate range with sustainable cocoa. As of the end of August 2013, Callebaut® was training nearly 40 000 cocoa farmers. Compared with 2012, this is an increase of 33% in the number of trained farmers. And Callebaut® will continue to focus this year on increasing farmer field schools, academies, mobile educational trucks, and the total number of trained farmers.

The Growing Great Chocolate program was launched on 1 May 2012. The decisive step to choose for sustainable cocoa was made with Callebaut® customers in mind, recognizing their requirements for high quality chocolate with sustainable cultivation. With the program, Callebaut® is involved at the source in training farmers, thus increasing both the quality and quantity of cocoa beans, therefore, quality and quantity of its Finest Belgian Chocolate.

Objective: double the yield per hectare by 2018
The improvements in the last year were aided strongly by Cocoa Horizons, an initiative founded in 2012 by Barry Callebaut with the objectives of doubling the yield per hectare of cocoa farmers (+800 kg/ha) by 2018 and significantly improving cocoa quality by eliminating the main obstacles to a sustainable cocoa supply chain: three key gaps in knowledge, materials and funding. By aiding the farmers in their practices, Cocoa Horizons seeks to bridge these gaps, and, ensuring a holistic standpoint, it also prioritizes education and access to health care.

Thanks to Cocoa Horizons, Callebaut®’s Growing Great Chocolate program has more trained farmers across an increased number of cooperatives who are able to farm with greater skill, yield more cocoa, and thus benefit from an increased income. Additionally as important, adults and youth benefit from literacy courses, life skills and vocational training, as well as educational infrastructure. Understanding that remote cocoa farming areas often lack medical facilities and access to clean water, Cocoa Horizons works with farmers and communities to improve access to basic health care services and water, distributing mosquito nets, sponsoring vaccinations and funding boreholes.

As of the end of August 2013, Callebaut® was training nearly 40 000 cocoa farmers. This is compared with 2012 an increase of 33% in the number of trained farmers. For 2014 Callebaut® continues to focus on increasing farmer field schools, academies, mobile educational trucks, and the total number of trained farmers.

‘Making a difference in the lives of the farmers’
‘We are proud to be making such a difference in the quality of our cocoa, in the yields, and in the lives of the farmers on the ground.’ says Cathy Manlow, Callebaut® Brand Development Manager. ‘We continue to believe in Growing Great Chocolate, and in addition to thanking our dedicated Cocoa Horizons team and the diligent work of our partnered farmers, we'd also like to thank our customers, as we couldn't make a difference without their passion for our Finest Belgian Chocolate.’

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Callebaut® (www.callebaut.com):For more than 100 years, Callebaut® has been making chocolate in the heart of Belgium and is still one of the rare chocolate makers to select, roast and grind cacao beans into its own secret and exclusive cocoa mass – the most important ingredient for chocolate couvertures. Callebaut® was established in 1850 in Belgium as a malt brewery and dairy company. It produced its first chocolate bars in 1911 and began production of chocolate couverture for Belgian chocolatiers soon after. Callebaut® began exporting its products in 1950 to craftsmen all over the world and is part of Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate.

Barry Callebaut:With annual sales of about CHF 4.9 billion (EUR 4.0 billion / USD 5.2 billion) in fiscal year 2012/13, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products – from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. The company runs more than 50 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of over 9,000 people.

Barry Callebaut serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The two global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut® and Cacao Barry®.

Barry Callebaut is committed to a sustainable cocoa production through its “Cocoa Horizons” initiative, and to help ensure future supplies of cocoa as well as improve farmer livelihoods.